The Effect of Massage on Sleep Quality, Stress, Comfort, and Vital Signs in Preterm Infants

NCT ID: NCT07322731

Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-15

Study Completion Date

2026-06-15

Brief Summary

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This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of massage therapy on sleep quality, stress, comfort, and vital signs in preterm infants (gestational age 35-37 weeks) admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Van YYU Training and Research Hospital. Infants in the intervention group will receive a 15-minute massage three times a day for three consecutive days, while the control group will receive standard care. Data will be collected using the Premature Infant Comfort Scale, Neonatal Stress Scale, actigraphy for sleep monitoring, and vital sign measurements. The study aims to determine whether massage therapy can improve the overall well-being and development of preterm infants in NICU settings.

Detailed Description

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This randomized controlled study evaluates the impact of massage therapy on preterm infants' sleep quality, stress levels, comfort, and vital signs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Van YYU Training and Research Hospital. Infants born between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation and meeting inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving massage or a control group receiving standard care.

The intervention consists of a 15-minute massage administered three times daily for three consecutive days by a trained researcher. Massage includes gentle stroking and circular movements of the legs, arms, back, and hands, following a standardized protocol. Physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation), sleep patterns (using actigraphy and chronometer), and behavioral assessments using the Premature Infant Comfort Scale and Neonatal Stress Scale will be recorded before and after the intervention.

Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25. Group homogeneity will be assessed with chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, within-group comparisons with paired t-tests, and between-group comparisons with independent t-tests. Significance will be set at p \< 0.05. This study aims to provide evidence on the efficacy of massage therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve preterm infants' comfort, reduce stress, and enhance sleep quality in NICU settings.

Conditions

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Premature Infants Sleep Quality İnfant Stress İnfant Comfort Vital Signs NICU

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which receives massage therapy, or the control group, which receives standard care. Randomization is performed using the Urn method. Each participant is assigned to only one group (parallel design). The intervention is applied three times daily for 15 minutes over three consecutive days.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

No masking; open-label study.

Study Groups

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Experimental Group

Preterm infants receiving massage therapy three times daily for 15 minutes over 3 days, in addition to standard care.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Infant Massage Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Preterm infants receive a standardized massage therapy protocol three times daily for 15 minutes over 3 days. The massage is applied by a trained nurse and includes legs, arms, and back following a structured sequence.

Control - Standard Care

Preterm infants receiving standard care only, without massage intervention.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Infant Massage Therapy

Preterm infants receive a standardized massage therapy protocol three times daily for 15 minutes over 3 days. The massage is applied by a trained nurse and includes legs, arms, and back following a structured sequence.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Preterm infants born between 35-37 weeks gestational age.
* Admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
* Medically stable and cleared for massage therapy by neonatologist.
* Parental/guardian consent obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

* Infants with congenital anomalies or major medical complications.
* Infants requiring mechanical ventilation or intensive respiratory support.
* Infants with known neurological disorders.
* Parental/guardian refusal or inability to participate.
Minimum Eligible Age

35 Months

Maximum Eligible Age

37 Months

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Yuzuncu Yil University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Rıdvan Akdogan

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Van Regional Training and Research Hospital

Van, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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RIDVAN AKDOĞAN, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+905413980680

YUSUF GÜRGAN, Msc Student

Role: CONTACT

+905442941180

Facility Contacts

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RIDVAN AKDOĞAN, Assist. Prof. (PhD)

Role: primary

05413983680

Other Identifiers

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YUZUNCU_YIL_UNIVERSITY_NICU

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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